Mineral classifier



MINERAL CLASSIFIER Filed Oct. 8, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 min may E ana $31 y Sept. 17, 1946. J c, SHANNON 2,407,851

MINERAL CLASSIFIER Filed Oct. 8, 1943 m 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jaw/ x7 6. 5194/1 10 By Ema/6M Sept. 1?, 1946. J c N N 2,407,851

MINERAL CLASS IFIER Filed Oct. 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A? I m'entor c/osaw/f JMA/A/a/I/ Sept. 17, 1946. g 2,407,851

MINERAL CLAS S IFIER Filed Oct. 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 17, 1946 UNITED sTArEs'eArEN'r orrlcn Joseph 0. Shannon, Leadville, 0010.

Application October 8, 1943, Serial No. 505,524

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in mineral classifiers for use principally in the art of controlled grinding in the milling of friable ores.

It is a matter of common knowledge that in the grinding of friable ores, such as zinc, lead, et cetera, there is a tendency to slime a large percentage of the ore. It is also well known that a certain percentage of such ores, as they are blasted in the mines, and crushed ores prepared for treatment, is ready for recovery without the necessity of going through a grinding mill. The principal object of the present invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus which may be installed. ahead of the mill for recovering the fine ore which does not need grinding, thus preventing over-grinding and sliming thereof.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide, in a mineral classifier comprising a substantially trough-like structure including a bottom having openings therein for the passage of the ore to be recovered, novel means for positively preventing clogging of said openings.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a mineral classifier of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in operation, compact, and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a mineral classifier constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1 with the electric motor and suction pump omitted.

Figure 4 is a, plan view of an intermediate portion of the apparatus, showing one of the laterally reciprocating tooth frames.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical 1ongitudina1 section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail view in side elevation of one of the teeth.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, showing the method of slidably mount- 1 Claim. (Cl. 209-384) motors l6.

ing the tooth frames on the'sluiceway or trough.

Figure 8 is a top plan view, showing'the motor drive for the tooth frames.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the apparatus which has been illustrated comprises a sectional trough or sluiceway which is designated generally by reference character l. The trough l, which may comprise any desired number of sections, is mounted at an inclination on a suitable supporting structure 2. The trough 5 includes a bottom 3 and side walls 4, said bottom 3 having transverse slots 5 therein.

Depending from each section of the trough l is a hopper ii. The hoppers 6 communicate with the trough l for receiving the fine ores therefrom through the slots 5. Outlet pipes l9 connect the hoppers 6 with suction pumps 20, said suction pumps being driven by electric motors 2!. It will be observed that an outlet pipe IS, a suction pump 2i] and a motor 2! are provided for each of the hoppers t.

The side walls 4 of the trough I extend downwardly below the bottom 3 of said trough in a manner to constitute the upper portions of the hoppers E. Substantially rectangular frames 8 are mounted for lateral reciprocation in the upper portions of the hoppers 6 beneath the bottom 3 of the trough i. Supporting rods 9 and H] project from the ends of the frames 3 and extend slidably through the lower portions of the walls Suitable packings H (see Fig. 7) prevent air from being drawn into the hoppers 6 around the rods 9 and E9. Upstanding teeth I2 of substantially the shape shown to advantage in Figure 6 of the drawings are mounted on the frames ii and project into the slots 5 for operation therein. In the embodiment shown, the teeth 92 comprise depending lugs or pins [3 which are engaged. in openings provided therefor in the frames 8.

Brackets M are mounted on the side wall 4 through which the rods l8 project. Bell crank levers l5 are journaled for horizontal swinging movement on the brackets 54. The bell crank levers l5 are pivotally connected, at one end, to the rods I0. Also mounted on this side wall 4 of the trough l are electric motors l6, one for each section of said trough. Eccentrics I! are mounted on the vertical shafts of the electric The eccentrics I! actuate rods l8 which are pivotally connected to the other end portions of the bell crank levers I5.

It is thought that the operation of the classifier will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the material to be treated flows downwardly in the trough I from the upper end thereof. As the material passes the slots 5 the fine ore is recovered therefrom, said fine ore being caused to pass downwardly through said slots into the hoppers 6 by gravity and suction. With the electric motors IS in operation, the teeth l2, which are constantly engaged in the slots 5, are reciprocated for positively preventing said slots from clogging at all times. 7

It is believed that the many advantages of a mineral classifier constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to'which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a mineral classifier of the character described, an inclined trough for reception of the material to be treated, said trough including a fiat bottom and side walls rising from said bottom, said bottom having a plurality of parallel elongated transverse slots therein, a rigid rectangular frame mounted forreciprocation transversely of the trough parallel with and beneath the bottom, said frame embodying a plurality of spaced parallel members, each alined with one of said slots, a plurality of spaced teeth rigid with said parallel members of the frame and projecting upwardly through said slots, spaced rods fixed to each end of the frame, said rods extending slidably through the side Walls of the trough for mounting said frame beneath the bottom, horizontally swinging bell-crank levers mounted on JOSEPH C. SHANNON. 

